A Journey Through Breast Cancer | By Kathy Baum

Starting Xeloda

About a half month after I stopped Taxol with a week delay due to the food poisoning, I started a new chemo, Xeloda at night on the 19th.

I started with 5 pills (3 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon)in stead of 6, watching out for diarrhea. Yet the next morning, I woke up with a stomach pain and had to go to the bathroom. On Thursday we would have a Christmas luncheon in the ESL Bible class, and as I didn’t want to ruin the fun time with diarrhea, I immediately took an anti-diarrhea medicine.

It was a wise choice. All day long I was fine and enjoyed every part of the luncheon. I realized it was important to take medicine when a problem is minor, instead of bearing it until discomfort or pain become serious.

Besides diarrhea, I was told that Xeloda may cause hand-foot syndrome, which make sores, pealing, or breaks in the skin. Thursday morning, I found a small cut on the tip of my right middle finger. At the beginning days of using Tykerb, I experienced cuts and breaks in the skin of fingers and soles, as well, but they were healed by ointments, socks, and gloves. The beginning of this year I had to have a surgery for a granuloma and although it reoccurred, it disappeared by applying aloe gel. So, I am going to try aloe and Aquaphor ointment to prevent this problem.

As of day 4 of Xeloda, diarrhea is under control and so far no major problems except this small cut.

On the other hand, since I quit Taxol, my baldhead became itchy. I guess my hair is coming back, or that’s what I hope since I want some good news.

Dr. Slamon suggested to stop Taxol, being concerned that the peripheral neuropathy would become permanent. The numbness, tingling, and stiffness of my legs haven’t changed yet, but psychologically I am relieved thinking that I am not taking Taxol any more.

Next CT scan I’ve been anxious about was rescheduled for the 28th of this month, although I wanted to move it up.

If I think about it, I get worried, but so far, the Christmas spirit is holding it down.

In spite of many more trials this year, I am thankful that I have been enjoying Thanksgiving and this beautiful Christmas season.